How to activate Xiaomi phone after resetting to factory settings: the full guide

Resetting Xiaomi to factory settings is a radical way to restore performance or prepare it for sale. However, after this procedure, many users face an unexpected problem: the phone requires activation, requests data from an old Mi Account or even blocks access to the system, especially for devices with a tied Xiaomi account, bought by hand or after a self-reset.

In this article, we’ll look at all possible activation scenarios after a hard reset, from setting up a new device to bypassing Mi Account lock (if you forgot your data or bought a used phone), how to prepare for a reset, what data to save in advance, and what to do if the system requires confirmation of the previous owner. Instructions are relevant for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models based on MIUI 12–14 and HyperOS.

Why does Xiaomi require activation after resetting?

Once reset to factory settings (Hard Reset), the Xiaomi phone behaves like a new device — but with one key difference: it remembers the previously tied Mi Account. This is part of Xiaomi’s anti-theft protection system, called Factory Reset Protection (FRP).

• 🔒 If the phone has enabled Mi Account and activated Find Device, after reset, the system requests that account data to be unlocked.
• 📱 Devices with MIUI 12+ and HyperOS may display a screen that says, "This device has been reset. Enter the Mi Account you previously had on it."
• ⚠️ If you bought a phone with your hands and the previous owner didn’t untie your account, it’s impossible to unlock the device using standard methods — alternative methods will be required.

It's important to understand that FRP- locking is not a bug, it's a feature. It protects your data if your phone is stolen or you lose it. However, for legal owners who have forgotten the Mi Account password, it becomes a serious problem. Next, we'll look at how to activate the phone in different scenarios.

Preparing for reset: how to avoid activation problems

If you plan to reset Xiaomi to factory settings in advance, follow these steps to avoid being blocked:

Make sure you remember the username/password from your Mi Account.

Untie your account in settings (Settings → Xiaomi Account → Sign out)

Create a backup of important data (photos, contacts, messages)

Check if the "Find Device" function is enabled (it must be disabled)

Charge your phone at least 50%-->

The most common mistake is to reset your phone via Recovery Mode without first logging out of your Mi Account, in which case the system interprets the action as an attempt at unauthorized access and activates FRP- locking, so that this does not happen:

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi account.
2. Click Out and confirm the action.
3. Turn off the function Find the device in Settings → Additional → Find the device.
4. Only then do reset via Settings → About Phone → Reset settings.

If you are selling a phone, make sure to log out completely and reset without the Mi Account attached, otherwise the new owner will not be able to activate the device.

⚠️ Warning: Some Xiaomi models (e.g., Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO X3 Pro) may still be associated with the device after logging out, in which case, after the reset, you will need to re-enter the data.

Xiaomi’s standard activation after reset (if you know the Mi Account data)

If you remember the username and password from Mi Account, which was tied to the phone before the reset, the activation process will take no more than 5 minutes.

1. After the reset, the phone will turn on and ask you to choose a language.
2. On the screen "This device was reset" enter the email or phone number associated with the Mi Account.
3. Enter the password and press Login.
4. Confirm your login via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
5. After successful authorization, the phone will offer to configure it as new or restore data from a backup.

If at this stage there is an error "Incorrect password" or "Account not found", check:

• 🔠 Correctness of entering email/ number (registrar is important!).
• 🔄 Try to recover your password through the official Mi Account website.
• 📶 Make sure your phone is connected to the internet (via Wi-Fi or mobile network).

If you are sure you are entering the correct data but the system is not accepting it, it is possible that your account has been blocked for suspicious activity, in which case you can try logging in via another device or contact Xiaomi support.

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If you have Mi Cloud enabled sync, the phone will prompt you to restore contacts, notes, and other data after you log in, and if you sell the device, the new owner will have access to your information.

How to bypass the Mi Account lock after reset (if you don’t know the data)

If you bought Xiaomi with your hands and the previous owner did not untie the account, or forgot your data, standard activation is impossible. In this case, you will have to use alternative methods. Importantly, all ways to bypass the FRP- lock require technical skills and can lead to loss of warranty or unstable phone operation.

We will look at 3 working methods (relevant to MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS):

Method 1: Bypassing Recovery and Fastboot modes (for power users)

This is a good way to use devices with an unlocked bootloader, and you'll need a computer with ADB and Fastboot drivers installed.

1. Turn off your phone and press the Power button + Volume up to enter the Fastboot Mode.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and type in the command: fastboot oem edl If the command doesn’t work, try: fastboot oem unlock
3. Download the Mi Flash Unlock utility from the official Xiaomi website and follow the instructions for unlocking the bootloader.
4. After unlocking, run your phone through the Mi Flash Tool with clean firmware (without linking to your account).

⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader erases all data and can cause IMEI loss. On some models (e.g. Xiaomi 12T or Redmi K50), this method does not work due to hardware protection.

Method 2: Use of vulnerability in settings (for MIUI 12–13)

On some firmware, you can bypass the lock through a loophole in the settings menu:

1. On the Mi Account data entry screen, click on Additional Settings (or Emergency Call).
2. Enter #4636## and it will open the test menu.
3. Go back and try running Settings through notifications or a quick access bar.
4. If you can open your settings, go to Accounts → Add an account and create a new Mi Account.

This method doesn’t work on all devices and can be closed in newer versions of MIUI.

Method 3: Contact Xiaomi Support

If the phone is legally purchased (there is a check or warranty card), you can contact official support to request that you unlock the device.

• 📄 Document confirming the purchase (check, contract).
• 📱 IMEI phone number (you can find out via *#06#).
• 🔄 You may need to send your phone to a service center.

Data recovery after activation

Once activated successfully, you'll get your phone in a "like new" state. To get your data back, use these methods:

If you don't have backups, try using data recovery software like Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver, but the chances of success depend on whether new data is recorded on your phone after the reset.

For the future: To avoid data loss, back up regularly through Settings → Additional → Backup or sync important information with Mi Cloud or Google Drive.

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Even after successful activation, some features (such as payment via Mi Pay or access to the cloud) may require re-authorization in Mi Account.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When activating Xiaomi after reset, users face typical problems, and consider the most common and ways to eliminate them:

Error: "This device is linked to another Mi Account"

This error occurs if the previous owner did not untie the account.

• 🔄 Try contacting the seller and asking them to untie the device via Mi Cloud.
• 🔧 Use the methods of bypassing FRP (described above).
• 📞 Contact the Xiaomi Service Center with proof of purchase.

Error: “It is impossible to connect to Xiaomi servers”

The problem is with the lack of internet or the blocking of Xiaomi servers in your country.

• 🌐 Connect to another Wi-Fi network or use mobile internet.
• 🛡️ If you use VPN, turn it off.
• ⏳ Wait a few hours and try again (sometimes Xiaomi servers are temporarily unavailable).

Error: "Device locked because of too many login attempts"

This lock occurs after 5-10 failed attempts to enter a password.

• ⏳ Wait 24 hours, the lock will be removed automatically.
• 🔄 Reset your phone again via Recovery Mode and try to log in again.
• 📧 Restore your password through the Mi Account website.

If none of the methods worked, it is possible that the lock is connected with the hardware binding of the account, in which case only firmware through EDL Mode (requires special equipment) will help.

How to avoid problems with buying a used Xiaomi

If you are planning to buy Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO from hand, be sure to check the device for reference to the Mi Account.

Ask the seller to exit the Mi Account with you

Make sure the “Find Device” function is disabled

Check if there is a lock in #4636##

Make a reset to factory settings along with the seller

Ask for a check or a warranty card-->

If the seller refuses to do this, it is likely that the phone is stolen or has hidden locks.

Also note:

• 🔋 Battery status (check through Settings → Battery → Status).
• 📡 Network operation (IMEI must match on the box and on the phone).
• 🔍 Physical damage (especially charger connector and speakers)

Remember: the price of used Xiaomi is lower than the market by 30-50% often indicates problems with the account or hardware.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions